THE COLONIES of MCLEAN, VIRGINIA ~ Fighting To Keep My Dogs And Avoid Homelessness

Please send REQUEST FOR LEGAL DOCUMENTS to communitysharingandcaring@gmail.com 
NOTE:  I hope to post pictures and documents supporting what I'm sharing with you.  I will also be posting any updates to the ongoing legal matter regarding my dogs including any communication from THE BOARD (and their Attorney), court dates and decisions. A court date is currently set for December 10, 2015 at the Fairfax County court house Plaintiff, The Colonies Defendants, M. Miller & T. Miller

PART 1 of 2 ~ THE BOARD TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MY FAMILY - MY DOGS

The Council of Co-owners of “THE COLONIES” Condominium (aka THE BOARD) is currently requesting that THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY issue a mandatory INJUNCTION to remove my two dogs from me and my son’s home.  Here is the why and how we arrived here:
1.       In a letter dated October 30, 2014 sent by Clyde C. Crane IV, President, Council of Co-owners of The Colonies Condominium (aka THE BOARD), THE BOARD claimed “dogs not on a leash running down the hallway jumping on resident, Mr. Abbas Mohajeri”. They informed me of their right to fine me 50.00, however, neither my aunt (Co-owner) nor I (resident) have ever received a fine for any Pet Policy violation.  In addition, I have never seen a complaint letter or heard of any complaint made by Mr. Abbas Mohajeri.
NOTE: Additional letters from THE BOARD that followed were all signed by William E. Chapman, Jr. who is the current "PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD"
2.       THE BOARD held a hearing at a November 2014 Board meeting which I was unable to attend due to work and family obligations.  At that hearing, Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri, NOT Mr. Abbas Mohajeri, claimed she was afraid for her father’s life. While I was sorry to hear that, I am certain my dogs jumped up on Mr. Mohajeri and barked at him while making our way to the elevator because they were simply overly excited to go outside with me and my son.
3.       THE BOARD claims my dogs were unattended, however, I saw the whole incident and was able to calm my dogs down and apologize to Mr. Mohajeri reassuring him that my dogs are very friendly.
4.       Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri then tells THE BOARD that one day in August, my dogs “caused her some difficulty in getting out of the elevator”. While anyone and everyone has the right to file a complaint with THE BOARD for any reason, I believe this complaint is difficult one to take seriously.  Likely, most people can figure out what she was trying to accomplish by making up a complaint about me and my dogs making it difficult for her to walk out of the elevator. Without question, if we were waiting to get onto the elevator, I am certain we cleared the way for Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri when the door opened so that she could exit the elevator.
5.      Because Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri felt afraid at the time and perceived my dogs as "dangerous" THE BOARD then concludes that my dogs are “a danger to life or limb”. THE BOARD tells me and my aunt that I must remove them from my home and our lives in 10 days - unless I state in writing why they should not be removed.
6.       My aunt sends THE BOARD a letter informing them of how friendly and well behaved my two small dogs are. She mentions how they are loving creatures who are around children and people of all ages. She knows how excited they get when they see her, they are begging for attention.  
7.       I'm very sorry that my dogs may have overwhelmed and scared Mr. Mohajeri but he very well knows that my dogs are friendly and he sees us come and go in the hallway and elevator.  He lives in our building on the same floor as us and his home is directly across from our elevator.  We ride the elevator 4 - 6 times a day. We see Mr. Mohajeri coming and going many times a week, every week.  There are no ongoing issues or problems with my dogs or me or my son.
8.       THE BOARD then changes their minds and decides that my dogs ARE NOT A DANGER TO LIFE OR LIMB and they tell me that I get “one last chance”. Really?
9.       In a letter dated and signed by William E. Chapman, Jr., January 20th, 2015, THE BOARD informs me that they have received additional complaints about me and my dogs.  The first complaint letter from Mr. Jack Veatch (dated December 2014) states that my son and my "large" dogs were out of control and that it was a "melee". Even a judge in a court of law questioned that there was a "melee" going on.   What happened was that the elevator stopped at their floor and opened (going from the 3rd floor - where we live- to the 2nd floor - where Mr. and Mrs. Veatch live for only a portion of the year).  My dogs, son and I thought we arrived at the garage where our vehicle is parked and started to exit but we were actually on the second floor.  When the door opened, to my surprise a dog I had not seen was waiting to get onto the elevator.  Mr. and Mrs. Veatch were standing right in front of the elevator door with their dog.  Naturally, the dogs barked.  Mr. Veatch requested THE BOARD rescind our right to use the elevator (which we had already been using for a year and a half prior to them getting a dog).  
10.     THE BOARD then set a hearing date after receiving Mrs. Louise Veatch’s complaint letter (dated January 2015) stating that my dogs “lunged at her and her small puppy”.  Yes, when the elevator arrived at the garage level and opened and to our surprise Mrs. Veatch and her dog appeared walking up from the back of our building, naturally -her dog started barking excessively and my two small dogs ran out of the elevator barking as well. They were both on leashes.  Mrs. Veatch picked up her dog and my dogs stopped barking and calmed down immediately when I told them to.  As a matter of fact, my son, two dogs and I and all our bags actually got back onto the elevator with Mrs. Veatch and her dog.  Mrs. Veatch did not want to speak with me while I tried to explain that the dogs are going to keep barking at each other. She chose to get off of the elevator and says she took the stairs.
11.     My aunt and Marie-Louise Ferreras (the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Veatch) attended the Colonies Board hearing on a Wednesday evening.  Mr. and Mrs. Veatch did not attend the hearing, apparently they were at their second home in Florida (Mrs. Veatch's Lexus is registered in the state of Florida).  I was unable to attend the hearing due to work and family obligations and my aunt clearly understood that I was not comfortable attending a Colonies Board hearing without legal representation (which I had no financial means of obtaining at the time) - especially after knowing how quickly they make severe and harsh decisions based on not having all the facts or speaking directly with the residents involved.  
12.       No human or dog was ever attacked or harmed by my 2 dogs in any way.  My dogs have learned to bark at other dogs since we moved to The Colonies because they have been  barked at by many small dogs running up to them. As a matter of fact, there used to be 3 small pug dogs living in our building on our floor. Seeing those dogs was very challenging and chaotic because they were extremely energetic and barked incessantly at everything and everyone!
13.    THE BOARD - again - concludes that I must remove my dogs from my home and my life without assessing any fine for their accusations and assumptions that I violated a Pet Policy.  
14.     The Council of Co-owners of “THE COLONIES” Condominium (aka THE BOARD) files a “COMPLAINT” to the Circuit Court of Fairfax County via legal counsel and lists 4 complaints regarding me and my dogs: 1 - failure to control dogs preventing resident from exiting elevator (a completely made up complaint by Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri). 2 - unattended dogs pinned resident (who never filed a complaint regarding this) against wall in hallway 3 - failure to control dogs as they lunge out of elevator at smaller dog (my dogs were barking at their new dog!) and 4 - same as number 3 (NOTE complaints 3 and 4 are from Mr. and Mrs. Veatch who are now owners of a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel (I believe that is the breed of her dog).
15.    NONE of these 4 complaints mentions anything about my dogs not being on a leash or any fines assessed to resident or Co-owner for any Pet Policy violation.  Again, no dog or human was hurt or bit or attacked or harmed in any way!

Please know that my Dachshund mix dogs are small dogs weighing less than 40 lbs.  They are brother and sister and I adopted them when they were about 7 weeks old.  These loving creatures are my furry children.  Even though most states consider them to be a piece of property. I love them as much as I can love any human. At times, they slept in the same bed as my infant son.  They are around children and people and playing with dogs at parks every day.  We ride the elevator with residents in my building almost everyday of the week. These dogs are my family, my sons brother and sister and I will never live anywhere without them. They need me, we need them and they have no other home to go to.  I have been their mom for nearly 7 years now and I will never let them go!  It would create emotional trauma for me and my son and for my dogs to force us to separate from each other.  And the consequences of my family being forced to move out of our home now would greatly affect his ability to go to school, my work and we would be homeless.  My dogs have no home to take them in either and they are my dogs and my responsibility, I would never do that to them.

To me, the level THE BOARD has taken this dog barking matter to is so incredibly unbelievable and undeniably cold, harsh, unreasonable and unwarranted.  Furthermore, THE BOARD is taking it upon themselves to take a chance and fork out massive legal expenses with funds that they have NO GUARANTEE they will recover because a judge would have to agree to their request. They have already gone too far by telling me and  my aunt that I must remove my dogs from my home.

THE BOARD continues spending money with a lawyer that could possibly be used  for much more important Colonies Condominium issues.  I know our building elevator was not working for over a week during the week before and after the 4th of July but they don't seem to take the money to replace the parts they need to replace - I have spoken to the elevator technician about this.  Also, there are water leaks in our building and the mold issues grows!  What about a new play ground for the kids?  I'm sure many residents and Co-owners are fully aware of the lists of improvements needed in and around their building.  I know our particular building lobby (Building 7), hallways, carpet and paint color is extremely old and outdated - this GREATLY affects buyers and renters decision when looking at units in our building.

PART 2 of 2 ~ THE BOARD IS TRYING TO SUE MY AUNT AND ME (I am living here at The Colonies with my family due to a financial hardship.)

In the legal COMPLAINT filed MAY 28, 2015 by The Council of Co-owners of “The Colonies” Condominium (aka THE BOARD and The Plaintiff) they ask the "Honorable Court" to award judgment in its favor against my aunt (Co-owner of Unit 302) for legal fees and costs they have imprudently chosen to incur in pursuing litigation.  The Colonies knew my grandmother (former resident) before she passed away and they have known my aunt (Co-owner) for nearly 10 years!  While I don't know these people personally, I am beyond disgusted with the "THE BOARD". 

I am also beyond disappointed with Ms. Nulefar Mohajeri (7/308) and her very consistent abrasive and unfriendly attitude toward me, my son and my two sweet dogs. There have been several times over the years where on a Monday evening Ms. Mohajeri expressed to me how she didn't like her guests choosing to use the stairs - even though we have held the elevator for her guests and they were very friendly and seemed like they wanted to use the stairs.  I'm mostly disgusted by a complaint she made up and used to strengthen her testimony where she claims my dogs “caused her some difficulty in getting out of the elevator”.

Furthermore, I am completely shocked and beyond disappointed in the actions of two human beings living under the same roof as me, my son and my two loving dogs.  Mr. Jack Veatch and Mrs. Louise Veatch (Co-owners 7/212) are people I have been friendly with on many occasions in the past.  Mr. and Mrs. Veatch are senior adults that I find not only utterly disrespectful, selfish and unkind but also shockingly untrustworthy and their complaint letters are exaggerated and inaccurate. In their complaint letters they both mention "this has happened before" - referring to a day my son and dogs were on the elevator going down to the garage and they (without dog) opted not to get on with the elevator with us and proceeded to tell me they were late for an appointment.  Prior to the Mr. and Mrs. Veatch becoming dog owners, Mrs. Veatch rode the elevator with me and my 2 dogs and asked me how I got permission to ride the elevator with me dogs.

In May of 2015, my lawyer and I witnessed Mrs. Louise Veatch and her daughter, Marie-Louise Ferreras giving false, inaccurate and exaggerated information to a judge while both under oath in a court of law (this is a criminal act known as Perjury).  One example was telling the court that the daughter, Mrs. Ferreras, is a resident at Building 7/212, living with her parents.  I have also been informed of Mrs.Veatch heading a movement to overthrow a former Colonies Board and the Board President in the past. I can only imagine THE BOARD (current President William E. Chapman, Jr.) feeling intimidated by the persistence and will of Mrs. Louise Veatch to control a situation. 

In describing Mrs. Veatch to me someone said: “She is a person who stirs the pot in many different directions.” and  “She’s a woman whose reputation precedes her as a trouble maker.” Most recently Mrs. Veatch told a visitor friend staying with me that "everyone in the building wants Ms. Miller to move out."  Needless to say, I was upset and disturbed to hear of this slander.

I am a very caring citizen and active member in my Moms Club.  My son, my two dogs and I are trying to make the most of having to live in a condominium at The Colonies, we don’t have other options.  We have made it our home for more than 2 years now.  My dogs live here and we are their family and this is their home as well.  Many residents in and outside of our building could testify that they have gone up or down the elevator with me, my son and my dogs without difficulty. My dogs are always on a leash and in my control.  I do follow the Colonies Pet Policies. Many people love my dogs and often I have adults asking if their children may pet them.  My dogs are in no way a danger to any beating heart.

I have spoken to Mr. Abbas Mohajeri while he stood at his front door (which is directly across from our elevator).  As we engaged in a nice conversation,  one of my dogs sat quietly next to my and the other lay down next to me on the rug.  Mr. Abbas Mohajeri admitted that he was overwhelmed and has never been around dogs before and then told me that he sees how nice my dogs are.  He said he would speak with his daughter.  Ms. Nelufar Mohajeri simply says to me, “speak with my lawyer” in a very short and stern tone. While my son and I are friendly with Mr. Abbas Mohajeri, I don't consider Ms. Mohajeri to be a kind person or friendly neighbor.

Mrs. Louise Veatch has been extremely difficult and has called the Colonies Management and the police making this situation and my life more difficult because I have had to defend myself against her accusations and false statements.  Her lies have cost my family thousands of dollars. My son actually thinks she is a witch and is afraid of her.  Even though I suggested to try letting the dogs sniff each other, she and Mr. Jack Veatch are persistent in telling me “you need to get rid of your dogs!” I have offered my cell phone number so they can let me know when they will be using the elevator with their dog, however they continue to be extremely unkind and they continue to tell me I don't have control of my dogs.  Needless to say, I am not fond of Mrs. Veatch and I will admit to you, I have called her names. As it stands, I have no desire to make anything better or worse with Mr. or Mrs.Veatch and our dogs will continue to bark at each other.  

I also want to mention that I have pictures of Mrs. Veatch going in and out of Building 7 lobby with her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, despite breaking the Pet Policies of The Colonies.  

The Colonies Management has never let me know they gave permission to another dog in my building to use the elevator.  Colonies Management has not sent us 2015 dog tags even though my dogs do reside here with me and my son and a check from the Co-owner (my aunt) was submitted to the office with the required paper work.  Residents of our building continue to come and go and some new residents are also pet owners.  I have not experienced any problems with them or their dogs even though they may bark at each other.

To date, we (Co-owner and residents of 302) have never been fined by the Colonies.  We have ever received a letter or notice regarding any fine for any Pet Policy violation.  THE BOARD is not only discriminating in their decisions and actions against me, my aunt, my dog and my son, they are also not following their own protocol.   I don't trust them and don't feel comfortable speaking with them. I believe THE BOARD has been abusive in their actions regarding a simple dog barking issue and their most severe, harsh and inappropriate costly legal actions against my family should be looked at by Co-owners and residents.

I was informed of a previous incident where resident's (Co-owner in Building 9) beloved dog got upset with a woman’s small dog.  Her dog was barking and ran toward this man's dog.  There was an injury to the small dog. This man told me THE BOARD demanded he remove his dog from his home, however years later, the dog still lives with him at The Colonies.  He told me he paid the woman (living in Building 7 at the time) with the small dog over a thousand dollars even though she let her dog bark and run up to his dog.  (Clearly his dog was protecting himself and the man.)  He told me this woman wrote many complaint letters to THE BOARD which resulted in THE BOARD telling him to get rid of his dog.  The woman never gave him a copy of any veterinarian bills, but this poor man paid her what she demanded anyway.

We live in a condo where we hear dogs barking outside of our window throughout the day. I can't say how many times small dogs have aggressively barked at and run toward (or lunged) my very mellow two dogs.  I have spoken to a resident and owner of an old black lab who was temporarily staying with her mother in Building 3. She told me that many of the small dogs will bark at her dog and her dog has started to now bark at dogs when being walked on the Colonies grounds. 

I have spoken to Officer Leiter, a Fairfax County Animal Control officer, about my dogs.  He suggested using a leash that would keep my dogs from barking when I let them out and I don't feel comfortable doing that nor can I afford to buy that kind of leash.  I use a leather leash with my dogs and also retractable leashes. Now that I am aware of another small very barky dog riding the elevator, I have to shorten the leashes so they can't walk in front of me when using the elevator.

In a letter from Andrew P. Hill dated August 7, 2015, THE BOARD is now essentially blackmailing my terrified aunt (who still works at 70 years old and lives very simply).  The lawyer and THE BOARD proposed a solution in which my aunt would “remove” me (and my son and my dogs) in 60 days from our home. This letter states, “if we can agree to such a resolution within the next two weeks, the Council will waive any claim for legal fees expended, and we can both avoid a protracted and expensive legal battle”.
The attorney representing THE COLONIES is
Andrew P. Hill, VSB #80474
SEGAN, MASON & MASON, P.C.
7010 Little River Turnpike, Suite 270
Annandale, VA  220023
703.354.9170
ahill@seganmason.com

If you are aware of other dog related issues residents had to deal with in the past, or any current issues especially where THE BOARD demands a resident  remove their pet, please email any information: communitysharingandcaring@gmail.com
Please consider posting a comment to this Blog post or email your thoughts, opinions and suggestions to: communitysharingandcaring@gmail.com

It might be beneficial for the community to elect new board members as soon as possible.  Where are the names of THE BOARD members given? One resident of over 20 years said to me, "they are crazy" when speaking about "THE BOARD".  I also recommend the community elect a committee of residents - who don't necessarily need to be "Co-owners" - to oversee decisions and actions of THE BOARD.  It seems too many people, including me and my aunt, do not attend THE BOARD meetings which are typically held during the week at 7 in the evening.  Perhaps a Saturday morning meeting might be better attended.

In conclusion, I am asking for your support in any form you desire - even prayer.  My family has been under enormous stress and pressure due to this ongoing legal matter. Already we have been dealing with too much regarding our stolen vehicle, and several other unfortunate losses due to the negligence and abrasiveness by "Jill" in the Colonies Management office.  I’m a single mother of a 4 year old boy and two amazing dogs that are also my children and we are all suffering.  You can not imagine the time I have had to spend writing letters and dealing with this issue -  time away from my job and worse of all - I have lost so much time I could be spending with my son and my dogs doing things for them.  Dealing with THE BOARD has created too much turmoil and stress in my family and it must stop now. Their actions have cost us a great deal of money.   I simply want to live here in peace with my son and 2 dogs until the day we are able to move.  And while I have made many very wonderful and kind friends here at The Colonies, I long for the day my family can move from here. That day can’t come soon enough for us.

Thank you for your time and consideration in supporting my family in this most severe and disturbing matter. 

I am happy to share your stories or concerns relating to the community here at The Colonies Condominium of McLean, simply email me your explaining your situation and concerns to: communitysharingandcaring@gmail.com
You can also share with the community by posting a COMMENT to this Blog Post.

Blessings of love and care to all,

The Miller Family 
(Building 7/302)